The Star Park Concept for Ridgefield

This town has always been quite intensely focused on education and academic achievement. Among the many reasons new residents flock here and have for many years is the quality of our schools, cultural interests and appreciation of the attractions of the natural environment which is the town's setting. In addition, in the last several decades, a specific remarkable enclave developed around the science of astronomy and space exploration here in Ridgefield with construction of a world class astronomical instrument design and manufacturing facility on the border of our town and our neighbor, Danbury. The founder of this very high tech research and development operation was the Perkin-Elmer Corporation. This plant less than 10 miles from Ridgefield center, was the birthplace of one of the most outstanding scientific instruments ever made, the Hubble Space Telescope!

Many of the men and women who created this remarkable device were and still are residents of this town. Where else then would it be more appropriate to set aside public land for everyone's use in learning further and appreciating more the wonders of the sky above us?

The basic concept for creation of the Star park is simple, we set aside open space in a suitably dark sky spot as close to town center as reasonable and provide security, facilities such as handicapped access, toilets and emergency lighting, plenty of parking, good viewing access to the entire sky dome above, well informed docents to teach us when appropriate on a carefully maintained, grassy, clean, level field to enjoy the wonders above from lawn chairs and loungers as well as the eyepieces of telescopes and binoculars.

We will use the area for unusual/special astronomical events such as eclipses, meteor showers, comet sightings, visible artificial satellite passes, celestial conjunctions, etc. but also for educational sessions both for school students as well as interested adults. Of course the Park is open always to amateurs and clubs with telescopes and binoculars for specific stars and planets observations.